Pool and carom billiards are both played on a cloth-covered slate table, but they are not the same game and they are not played on the same equipment. Pool uses six pockets and smaller balls, while carom games such as three-cushion billiards are played on a pocketless table with larger, heavier balls. Because the tables look similar at a glance, many players wonder whether an existing pool table can be converted for carom play instead of buying a new one.
The short answer is that a partial conversion is often possible. The pockets can be filled, the cloth can be replaced, and the balls can be swapped. However, some features of a carom table cannot be changed on a pool table, so the result is usually a playable hybrid rather than a regulation carom table. This guide explains what can be done, what cannot, and how the process works.
What Makes a Carom Table Different From a Pool Table
Before deciding on a conversion, it helps to understand how the two tables differ. The main differences affect how the balls roll and how the cushions respond.
- Pockets: Pool tables have six pockets. Carom tables have none, so a ball can only leave the playing surface by jumping over a cushion.
- Ball size and weight: Carom balls are larger and heavier than pool balls, typically around 61.5 mm (2.42 inches) in diameter compared with about 57 mm (2.25 inches) for pool balls.
- Cloth: Carom cloth is generally faster and smoother, allowing balls to travel longer distances with the same stroke.
- Cushions and rail height: Because carom balls are larger, the cushion nose and rail height must match the ball size to produce correct rebound angles.
- Table size: Regulation carom tables are commonly 5 by 10 feet, while pool tables are usually 7, 8, or 9 feet long.
- Heating: Many carom tables have a heated slate bed, which reduces moisture effects and keeps the cloth playing consistently.
Can a Pool Table Really Be Converted?
Yes, but with limits. The most common conversion is a pocket-filling conversion, in which the six pocket openings are closed with inserts that sit flush with the slate, then the entire bed is covered with new cloth. This creates a continuous playing surface with no holes.
What you get is a table that behaves much like a carom table for casual play, practice, and learning the basics of three-cushion or straight-rail billiards. What you usually do not get is a regulation carom table, because the slate dimensions, cushion design, and rail height remain those of a pool table.
What Can Be Changed
- Pockets: Filled with cloth-wrapped plugs or inserts, leveled to match the slate.
- Cloth: Replaced with faster carom-style cloth across the bed and rails.
- Balls: Swapped for full-size carom balls.
- Cushions: Replaced with carom-profile rubber in some cases, if the rails can accommodate it.
- Leveling: The table can be re-leveled for the flatter, faster roll carom play requires.
What Cannot Be Changed Easily
- Playing surface size: A 7-foot or 8-foot pool table stays that size. Carom games are normally played on larger beds.
- Slate construction: The pocket cutouts are part of the slate, and the fill is an addition rather than original material.
- Rail height and geometry: Raising rails correctly is difficult and often not worth the cost.
- Heating: Adding a heated bed to a table not designed for it is complex and rarely done.
Step-by-Step Conversion Process
If you decide to proceed, the work generally follows this order. Anyone unfamiliar with table assembly should consider hiring a professional installer, since slate is heavy and easy to damage.
- Assess the table. Measure the playing area, check the slate for cracks or sagging, and confirm the rail height relative to the carom balls you plan to use.
- Choose the cloth. Select a fast cloth suited to carom play and make sure it matches what will be used on the rails and pocket fillers.
- Disassemble. Remove the rails, take off the old cloth, and expose the slate bed.
- Fill the pockets. Insert plugs or filler pieces into each pocket opening. They must sit perfectly flush with the slate, with no lip or gap that could deflect a ball.
- Check flatness. Run a straightedge across the filled areas. Any high or low spot should be corrected before covering.
- Cover the bed. Install the new cloth, pulling it evenly and tight so there are no wrinkles or loose spots.
- Address the cushions. Replace worn cushion rubber, and if possible switch to a carom profile. Note that this step may not be feasible on every rail design.
- Reassemble and level. Reattach the rails and level the table carefully in both directions.
- Test the surface. Roll carom balls across the table in several directions to check for drift, hops, or dead spots.
Cost and Effort at a Glance
Costs vary widely depending on materials and whether you do the work yourself. As a general guide:
- Pocket fillers and cloth: usually the lowest-cost part of the project.
- Cushion replacement: adds a moderate amount and may require a specialist.
- Professional labor: increases the total, especially for disassembly, cloth work, and leveling.
- Heating or major rail work: usually expensive enough that buying a dedicated carom table becomes the better option.
Effort matters too. A basic pocket-filling conversion can be done in a weekend by a careful do-it-yourselfer, while cushion and rail work can take much longer.
Alternatives to Full Conversion
If a conversion seems too costly or too complicated, there are other ways to play carom games at home.
- Reversible covers: A hard top or cover that sits over the table and closes off the pockets allows you to switch between games without permanent changes.
- Practice on the pool table as-is: Basic carom drills, such as straight-rail patterns, can be practiced on a standard pool table, though pockets will interfere.
- Buy a used carom table: Older pocketless tables are sometimes available at prices comparable to a full conversion project.
Tips for Playing on a Converted Table
- Use full-size carom balls so cushion contact behaves as intended.
- Keep the table level and the cloth clean, since faster cloth reveals small imperfections.
- Expect slightly different cushion rebound than on a regulation carom table.
- Re-tighten and re-level after the first few weeks, as new cloth settles.
Conclusion
Converting a pool table for carom billiards is realistic for players who want to practice at home without buying new equipment. The essential step is filling the six pockets flush with the slate, then covering the bed with fast cloth and switching to carom balls. Cushion upgrades and heating are possible in some cases, but they often push the cost toward that of a dedicated table.
If you only need a practice surface, a pocket-filling conversion is a practical and often affordable solution. If you want regulation carom play, a purpose-built table remains the better long-term choice. For more straightforward answers on home projects and equipment care, explore the other guides available on this site.